Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers speaks to reporters Monday, March 25, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Evers moved quickly after last week’s order to rescind 82 of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s appointments that the state Senate confirmed during the lame-duck session. And Attorney General Josh Kaul, at Evers’ order, moved to withdraw Wisconsin from a multi-state lawsuit seeking repeal of the Affordable Health Care Act, a power taken away from him during the lame-duck session. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer).
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin officials are waiting for a pair of courts to decide whether laws that Republicans passed last year limiting the powers of the new Democratic governor and attorney general can stand.
Lawmakers passed the measures in a lame-duck session in December, before Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul took office.
A Dane County judge blocked the laws Thursday, ruling that lawmakers convened illegally when they passed them. Attorneys for Republicans are asking the 3rd District Court of Appeals to put that ruling on hold pending appeal. That decision could come any moment.
Another Dane County judge is expected to decide Tuesday whether to block the laws in response to union arguments that they violate the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.
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